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Parrott had spent this season as the crew chief for driver Aric Almirola. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Todd Parrott has been fired by Richard Petty Motorsports, a week after NASCAR suspended him for violation of its substance abuse policy. Parrott, who led Dale Jarrett's No. 88 team to the 1999 NASCAR championship at Robert Yates Racing, is the most successful and best-known crewman suspended by the sanctioning body for substance abuse.

He's been replaced for the rest of the year by Greg Ebert, beginning at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Ebert has been the team's car chief for the past two seasons and has worked within the RPM organization since its inception 2009. Before joining RPM, he spent nine years at Roush Fenway Racing, the last five of them working with Matt Kenseth's No. 17 Ford team.

“We're confident in Greg's leadership abilities and will give him the resources to be successful,” said Sammy Johns, the vice-president of operations and competition at Ford-based RPM. “He's very familiar with our program and gives us a more seamless transition. More importantly, he gives [driver] Aric Almirola the best opportunity to finish the season strong.”

NASCAR announced Parrott's indefinite suspension last week, several days before the tour went to Talladega Superspeedway. With Johns acting as interim crew chief, Almirola started from the pole and led three times for eight laps en route to a lead-lap 22nd-place finish. At the time, he voiced his concern, respect, friendship and support for Parrott, his crew chief since late in the 2012 season.

On Tuesday, RPM confirmed that Parrott is no longer with the organization. NASCAR has confirmed that Parrott has agreed to participate in its “Road to Recovery” program.

He's been an active, high-profile and successful crew chief for most of his adult life, with 31 career wins, including two Daytona 500s and a Brickyard 400. His father, Buddy, and his brother, Brad, have also been crew chiefs at NASCAR's highest level.